Twenty-four hour Wolverhampton siege man escapes jail
A man who brought a quiet Wolverhampton street to a standstill for 24-hours has escaped jail.
Alexander Lange caused a 24-hour armed police siege in Laurel Grove on November 23.
Lange, now of Stafford Street, Walsall, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
The unemployed 38-year-old was arrested as his home on November 24 after a 24-hour stand off with police.
Laurel Grove was shut from 9am on November 23, with firearms officers stationed on the residential street until Lange was detained the following morning.
The road was closed off and a cordon was put in place while the negotiators attempted to bring the stand-off to an end.
Residents of the cul-de-sac off Oxbarn Avenue were forced to stay inside their homes throughout the operation.
Specialist negotiators had been at the scene for 24-hours to try and speak to the man, who was believed to be the only person inside the property at the time.
Armed officers, had also been joined by a police dog unit, un-armed officers and police drone were all involved in the stand-off.
Firefighters and ambulance crews were also on standby outside the nearby the Gunmakers Arms, in Trysull Road.
Workers from Western Power Distribution were also at the scene, poised to isolate the power if needed.
Lange was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Walsall Magistrates Court on Thursday.
